11 December 2014

The Navys Small Surface Combatant Force

The Modified Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

The modified LCS will be multi-missioned, with increased lethality and enhanced
survivability at the most affordable cost.

The modified LCS is multi-mission focused and expands Surface Warfare (SUW) and Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW) capabilities.
o The ships will be based upon on existing LCS designs with modifications that will include
additional capabilities.
Over-the-horizon surface to surface missile and additional weapon systems and combat
system upgrades improves lethality.
Increased survivability will be achieved by incorporating additional self-defense
capabilities and increased hardening vital systems and vital spaces.
o The ship will retain certain aspects of modularity but will maintain a baseline of surface and
subsurface warfare capabilities.
o Provides lethality, survivability and multi-mission capabilities in accordance with fleet priorities.
o Requirements are based on estimated theater threat environment for the 2025 timeframe.
o Fulfills the remaining 20 ships of our 52 small surface combatant requirement.

Both LCS variants remain a valuable addition to the fleet.

o Our procurement strategy of 32 LCS continues, and we intend to provide incremental upgrades
to these ships beginning in FY17.
o The 32 LCS, with their full modular capability, will allow the Navy to deploy assets to meet the
Navys Mine Warfare, Surface Warfare, and Anti-Submarine Warfare demands.

Small surface combatants enable the Navy to execute Defense Strategic Guidance (DSG).
o The Navy has a validated requirement for 52 small surface combatants
Innovative, low-cost, and small footprint approach to achieve security objectives
o Offers flexibility to Combatant Commanders for Theater Security Cooperation
Frees large surface combatants to conduct their primary missions
o Builds and strengthens maritime partnerships by being able to train and operate with smaller,
regional navies and to enter previously inaccessible, shallow-water foreign ports.

Procurement of this multi-mission ship supports industrial base schedule and is fiscally responsible.
o The modified LCS helps maintain industrial infrastructure with no breaks in production.
o The Navy balanced design alternatives with consideration for cost, risk, and other capabilities
currently in the fleet.
o Ship and combat systems design funding is included in our FY16 Presidents Budget Request to
support procurement starting in FY19.
o By leveraging the current LCS design, total ownership cost is optimized.
This increased capability is achieved at less than 20% more cost than the current LCS.

Link to Apr. 30 interview with Dr. John Burrow, SSC Task Force Director:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/Customer-delivery/802_0045.zip